ANGELS CLASSIFICATION
• Michael (meaning “who is like unto God”) is the only named
arch angel (1Th.4:16; Jd.9)
• Michael appears to be Israel’s guardian angel (Da.10:13,21; 12:1)
• Michael leads the angelic army of God against Satan and his
forces (Re.12:7)
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought
against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels”
(Re.12:7)
“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael,
one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.…But
I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth
with me in these things, but Michael your prince.…And at that me shall Michael stand up,
the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a me of
trouble, such as never was since there was a na on even to that same me: and at that me
thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found wri en in the book.”
(Da.10:13,21; 12:1)
• Only mentioned once (Is.6:2-7)
• Seraphim means “burning ones”
• They acted as attendants at the throne of God and agents of
cleansing
• Described as having six wings (Is.6:2)
• They brought cleansing to Isaiah in the presence of God
“Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and
with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and
said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. …Then flew one
of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs
from off the altar: ” (Is.6:2-3,6)
• They are identified as Cherubim (Ek.10:1-20)
• They are called “living creatures” (Ek.1:4-28; Re.4:6-9)
• First appear in the garden of Eden to guard the way of the Tree
of Life from fallen Adam (Ge.3:24)
• They appear to be the guardians of the holiness of God (Ek.28:14)
• They bore the throne-chariot which Ezekiel saw (Ek.1:4-5; 10:15-20)
• Representations will be part of the Millennial Temple (Ek.41:18-20)
• Satan was or is a Cherub (Ek.28:14,16)
• Cherubim in the Tabernacle:
1. Part of the Ark of the Covenant (Ex.25:18-22)
2. Sowing of the linen curtains (Ex.26:1,31; 36:8)
• Cherubim in the Temple:
1. Two olive wood Cherubim overlaid with gold (15 feet tall)
spread their wings over the Ark of the Covenant (1Ki.8:6-7)
2. Cherubim images carved in the walls and doors (1Ki.6:29-35)
CHIEF
PRINCES
CHERUBIM
SERAPHIM ARCHANGELS
Angels appear to have different orders or ranks. This is true of both holy and fallen angels. As Scripture speaks of these classes we can form a general, but not an absolute,
list of angelic classification. A couple angels are named in Scripture. They include Michael, Gabriel, Satan, and Apollyon.
• Angels that appear to have territorial rights over nations
(Da.10:13, 20-21)
“ So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and
a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” (Ge.3:24)
“ So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and
a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” (Ge.3:24)
“Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the
holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou
wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, ll iniquity was found in thee.
By the mul tude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and
thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will
destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.” (Ek.28:14-16)
“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael,
one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.…
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with
the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will
shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with
me in these things, but Michael your prince.” (Da.10:13, 20-21)
Tom Elseroad • www.BibleLayout.com • 03-08-2014 • angels-classification.cdr